Disney's Fit For A Princess Race Expo



We always look forward to the expos and always have a lot of fun. Here are our thoughts on this year's Princess Expo.

As soon as we entered the Wide World of Sports Property, we were greeted by Oikos representatives who were giving out free yogurt cups!  * An Unexpected Positive!



We immediately made our way over the Clubhouse so I could check out the selection of Run Disney merchandise ( remember I was looking for a jacket). I couldn't find a jacket similar to the one I purchased in the fall and wasn't overly impressed with the rest of the merchandise. * negative ( although this really wasn't part of the expo so I guess it really doesn't count).



Packet pick up ( bibs and shirts) were pretty easy. By the time we got there, lines were not long at all. *Positive.


I was debating on what size race shirt I wanted to get, but in the end the size I ordered fit just fine so I was pleased. *Positive.   ( Although I do have to admit that I wasn't super impressed with color of the half marathon shirt). The 10K and the Glass Slipper Challenge shirts were super cute though.



When we got to the official Disney merchandise booth I was very surprised by how NOT crowded it was. *Positive.

Last year we had to wait in line just to get in to see the merchandise.

There was still a good selection of merchandise when we were there and we were each able to find what we wanted in our size.  *Positive.


We were each looking forward to purchasing an "I Did It" shirt, but we were not impressed with the designs of the shirts at all. *Negative.


 In fact, we thought all the Glass Slipper merchandise was kind of goofy looking. It was so cartoonish. We thought the graphic on the merchandise should have been more of a "Glass Slipper" not a cartoonish looking high heeled shoe. * Big Negative

This was the first year we remembered seeing T-shirts for men at the PHM merchandise booth.


These were pretty clever shirts! *Positive.    However, by the time we got there on Thursday afternoon ( which was the first day of the expo), the only sizes left were smalls and mediums.  Disney should have planned a little better in this department. *Negative

We were able to see our friends Marcy and Pete from Sporthooks. We met them last year at a race expo and then several more after that and have been in contact with them since.

You probably can't see it in the picture, but they had given me this charm that says "Believe" in honor of PHM being my first half marathon! This couple is just SO sweet!   *Positive

We didn't really spend a whole lot of time at the expo the first day. We did end up going back to the expo another day because I had won a prize that I had to go pick up.  

As soon as we got off the bus for our second visit to the expo it started pouring down rain! By the time we walked up to the expo building it had stopped. And look who we ran into!

                              The Amazing Pam from We Run Disney!  *Definitely a Positive!



Lots of fun picture opportunities * Positive.
 
I have to admit that the expo seemed more organized than it was when it was held at Coronado Springs, or maybe it was just because the Wide World of Sports Complex is such a bigger space and it doesn't seem so cramped.  I think we must have gone at a good time though because the crowd was minimal and we didn't have to wait in line for anything very long ( if at all). *Positive

If you went to PHM, what did you think of the expo?  What has your favorite race expo been?





27 comments:

  1. Love all the pics, especially that last one! I have been hearing that the runDisney merch at the PHM ran out of different items/sizes rather quickly... this kind of is annoying because they should know by now how popular the stuff is - they need to prepare better for this stuff!

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    1. We agree Lauren. Seeing that the expo was three days, there is really no excuse for them to run out of merchandise the very first day. I feel bad for the runners who wanted shirts and jackets and couldn't find them in their size.

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  2. I usually do not like expos because they are so crowded and EXPENSIVE. I don't have a favorite but I have a list favorite- Baltimore Marathon Expo. You had to walk up like a half mile of stairs to get to it and it was so unorganized. It took me over an hour just to simply pick up my bag and get the heck out of there!

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    1. I agree that most expo are the same ( crowded and expensive) but I really enjoy the Disney expos because I like all the Disney inspired merchandise!

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  3. Thanks so much for the shout out. It was definitely my pleasure running into you two ladies at the expo! I also was disappointed in the runDisney merchandise. The half marathon shirt color was not my taste either. I can't figure out why they did not use a light purple background or pale pink. I did buy the Princess Half "I Did It" shirt only because I have one of them from every runDisney race weekend I have done. They will eventually be made into a quilt! Agree totally about the GSC merchandise....that big high heeled shoe was just plain ugly! (I don't mince words). Running out of merchandise on the first day is just unacceptable. Princess weekend, the ladies come to buy at the expo and there should be ample amounts of the merchandise for everyone.

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    1. Glad we aren't the only ones who felt that way about the merchandise. I did see your "I DId it" shirt that you post it and I admit that I do like that one. I must have missed that one at the expo.

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    2. I think they have some of the I Did It shirts on the Disney Store site - go take a peek! :) -Christine
      P.S. Glad seeing my mama was a positive haha!
      P.P.S. Meranda, I had no idea this was your first half - SO FUN!!

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    3. We loved chatting with your mama! I did see those shirts are online for a limited time!

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  4. I also felt bad because there was no merchandise for anyone who was "only" doing the 5k (like my mom) - it was all 10k/half/GSC merchandise. A 5k is a huge accomplishment for some runners, especially since Disney is so attractive to newbies, and they should be able to celebrate, too!

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    1. I couldn't agree with you more Erika! The very first year I participated in the Princess weekend I only did the 5K and didn't buy any Disney merchandise because it was all for the half. I think they should definitely have more merchandise for the 5K races. I later found out that they had pins for the 5K, but it would be nice to have some clothing, magnets, mugs, and other merchandise. You are right that completing a 5K is a great accomplishment as well and it may be the only distance some people will ever do. Disney needs to celebrate that too!

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  5. I went later and found the expo NOT crowded at all. I did not purchase any runDisney merchandise other than a sweaty band....... I just don't need any more stuff. I had a GREAT experience though and thought the expo was fab. I do with one of the 3 tech shirts for the race was not so muted, but oh well...they are cute. Nice recap!

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    1. Thanks Julie! I wasn't a huge fan of the shirts ( that were for purchase) but thought all the sweaty bands were adorable! Which one did you get?

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  6. I have to get that shirt for my husband :)

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    1. Isn't that great? I hope they bring this shirt out again next year or online ( and have a variety of sizes)!

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  7. At the marathon this year I was really disappointed in the shirt design and the shirts in general. The color was horrible and the style was just cheap seeming. It looks like you had a great time!

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    1. I didn't really get a good look at the marathon shirt this year. I do like that they are long sleeve though.

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  8. Great recap of the expo! I had a similar experience at last year's Wine and Dine expo. I got there early (technically before they opened because they opened the doors early). Really wanted a Coast to Coast shirt and all they had were medium and large, so I bought the medium in case it was my only chance to get one. I was able to order a small from DisneyStore.com with the 25% Friends and Family discount a few days later but didn't get it for several weeks. When I'd run the Tink earlier that year, I had no idea I'd Coast to Coast so I didn't look at the merchandise then.

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    1. I don't understand why Disney wouldn't have been fully stocked in all size for the start of the expo??? Glad you did get your shirt though.

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  9. We were there Thurs early afternoon (2-4pm ish) and were able to get a Large of the My favorite princess is my wife shirt for my husband (and a "my mom" 3T for our son). I didn't look to closely at the supply, but they had only S/M at the area where packet pickup was, then the larges were at the main expo.

    I love the design of the I Did It shirt for the half. Didn't check out the GSC ones.

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    1. I did see the smalls and medium Men's shirts at packet pick up and was hoping for some larger sizes at the expo but they were all gone by the time I got there. Your son will look so cute wearing his T-shirt!

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  10. This expo looks like a lot of fun and I love all the cute t-shirts. I also love that cute "Believe" charm you got. That is so sweet! I've yet to run a Disney race, but I would LOVE to!

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    1. Disney expos and races are truly lots of fun! I really look forward to them each year!

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  11. I wasn't impressed with the expo...and is that a zip up for the PHM?! I did NOT see that then, because I would have bought it! They must not have been available anymore by the time I got there on Friday. UGH! Another "con" on my list!

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    1. Yes, the white jacket is a PHM zip up. It is much thinner than I wanted though. They did have ones with a bit of a fleece lining but they were for GSC and they were half zips. I'm not a fan of the half zip up. That's what the Run Disney ones were too. I'm also not a fan of the white. Of course I spilled honey down the front of it the first night I had it!!!!

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  12. I agree with all of this! I went on Thursday around 11:00 and got everything I wanted, so I was a fan of the expo! I also had to exchange my shirt and it was super easy so that was great!

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  13. So glad you were able to exchange your shirt with ease. I worried about that too since the sizing was a little off from last year but fortunately I didn't have to.

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  14. I didn't realize this was your first half marathon!!!!!!! So exciting!

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